Former Neighbours star, actor and TV presenter, Dan Macpherson, talks travel
He’s the Sydney-born star who first found fame as boy next door heartthrob, Joel Samuels, on TV stalwart, Neighbours. But since cutting his teeth on the small screen Down under, Dan MacPherson has gone on to carve out a career on both the small and big screens.
Now splitting his time between LA and Australia, the actor and presenter opens up to The Hop about his travelling life.
MY BEST HOLIDAY
Dan with his wife, Packed to the Rafters star, Zoe Ventoura
It was a few years ago. My now-wife Zoe and I went to Europe for five weeks. We drove all through France, with stopovers in Paris and in the south to visit some family I have there. It was fantastic - we just travelled like backpackers and enjoyed life on the road.
THE BEST HOTEL I’VE STAYED IN
Dan Macpherson's hotel of choice? The amazing rooftop pool at New York's Soho House
I really love staying Soho House in New York - I was there a lot last year. The rooms are really generous - especially for New York - and it has a great location right in the Meatpacking District and an awesome rooftop pool and bar. I love it.
I ALWAYS TAKE
Running gear. It’s my one staple, not matter where I go. Particularly if I’m going to a new city I’ll get up early - often as a result of jet lag - and do a running tour. You can tell a lot about a city from the way it wakes up in the morning.
THE INGREDIENTS FOR A PERFECT HOLIDAY INCLUDE
Sunshine and surf are Dan's key ingredients for a successful getaway
Sunshine, the ocean, a good book, a good bar, good company and very little mobile phone reception. I’d love to say that I was the kind of person who could actually switch off my phone, but I’m an addict. So, if it’s imposed on me that’s better.
THE BEST PIECE OF TRAVEL ADVICE
Neighbours star, Dan Macpherson, reveals his top travel advice
Streamline your airport etiquette. Please, for yourself and for your fellow travellers, learn to go through the airport like a pro. You’ll make life easier for yourself and for others. You don’t need to take a lot of stuff, make sure your documents are in the right place and that you’re on time. I love seeing airport pros - it makes me happy. And dear lord, stand back from the baggage carousel. That’s my pet peeve.
MY WORST EXPERIENCE ON HOLIDAY
It was when Zoe had food poisoning at about 3am on the morning before a 7am flight from New York to LA. Travelling through US airport customs in that state was not pretty, let me tell you. I’d never want to go back there. Poor thing.
MY BIGGEST PACKING MISTAKE
Dan admittedly "lives out of a suitcase" so he's a packing pro
I flew in for a big event and forgot to bring shoe laces. I’d taken them out of my shoes to put into another pair of shoes. I had no idea how hard shoe laces are to find.
NEXT ON MY LIST
I’ve never been to Vietnam. I’d still love to go there, so that’s very much on my list. When I was living in London I used to stop in Southeast Asia a lot and I haven’t done that in over 10 years now. A friend of mine did a motorbike journey from north to south Vietnam - eating his way down the country as he travelled. That sounds amazing, so maybe one day. It’ll likely have to be a bonus trip, though perhaps my wife will meet me in a hotel at the end point!
Dan is an ambassador for Sydney’s, The Star. This story first appeared in Traveller.